Wall or floor receptacle



' Sept. 29, 1931. E. J. SCHUTT 1,825,638

WALL OR FLOOR RECEPTACLE Filed Dec. 27, 1927 Patented Sept. 29, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EMMETT J. SCHUTT, OF RAMSEY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO OUTLET INDUSTRIES INC., OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK WALL OR FLOOR RECEPTACLE Application filed December 27, 1927. Serial No. 242,643.

This invention relates to electrical equipment and more particularly to wall or floor receptacles to which different electrical devices may be conveniently connected, such as fioor lamps, heaters, hot plates and flat irons, which devices are usually equipped with an electric cord terminating in a plug part having spaced posts for plugging into a wall or floor receptacle to establish the desired electrical connection with the source of electrical energy.

In effecting an electrical connection by plugging in a plug or cap into a wallor floor receptacle, considerable difficulty is encountered in causing the two posts of the plug member to find the post holes of the wall receptacle. In my Patent No. 1,745,233, patented January 28, 1930, application Ser. No. 182,644 filed April 11, 1927, on which this invention is an improvement, I have shown a receptacle having its outer face provided with means to facilitate such finding of the post holes. 2

The present invention has for its primary object to provide a face or finishing plate, forwall or outlet receptacles, with means to facilitate the finding of the post holes of such underlying or concealed wall receptacle.

The invention further resides in the features of construction and the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein, I Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, sectional view through a face plate embodying the present invention, the same being shown in a position attached to a floor or wall receptacle which latter is shown in fragment,

Fig. 2 is a similar View of a slightly modified form of face plate,

I Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the face plate shown in either Figs. 1 or 2, and

Fig. 1' is a perspective view of a face plate for a single receptacle.

Referring more in detail to the accomp anying drawings, I have shown in Fig. 1 an outlet box having two receptacles 1, which may be of any suitable construction and mounted in the customary housing (not shown), each receptacle being provided with two post sockets, 2to receive the spaced posts or blades 3 of the plug or cap 4. This plug member 4 is similar to that found attached by an electric cord such as indicated at 5, to certain electrical devices such as lamps, toasters and the like. Within the sockets 2 are arranged con tact members (not shown) with which the posts 3 are designed to make electrical connection in the customary and well known manner.

These receptacles are usually setin substantially flush with the wall surface, and being of a rough finish it is desired to conceal them by finishing or face plates, thereby presentmg a finished appearance to such wall or floor receptacles. The face plates may be of a simple design or suitably ornamented to harmonize with the other electrical fixtures with 1n the room, or to present a pleasing effect. They may be stamped from sheet metal or be molded from a body of insulating material, such as porcelain, bakelite or the like.

Referring to Fig. 1, I have shown a face plate 6 which is provided with spaced post holes 7 which are secured in registry with the sockets 2 by means of the plate-attaching screws 8. If the plate is stamped of sheet metal, it is preferred to line the post holes 7 with an insulation to avoid any short circuiting between the posts 3. However, in the presentinstance, the face plate is shown constructed of an insulating material which is preferably molded into the shape shown in Figs. 1 and 3. An annular groove 9 is provided in the face plate for each receptacle with the post holes 7 opening into the bottom of the groove at substantially diametrically opposite points. This, in effect, provides a construction in which each post hole has an arcuate guideway leading thereto,tl1e guideways for the two post holes being concentrically related. The annular groove produces a central knob 10 having a guide wall 11, abruptly rising from the hole 7, and a base or maximum diameter substantlally equal to the minimum distance between the posts 3, whereby the posts will embrace the knob without material play or looseness so that upon plugging in the member 4 the posts, after straddling the knob 10 and engaging in (iii the upper marginal portion of said wall 12,

said posts will ride down said wall, or down said wall and the wall" 11 of the knob, tothe bottom of the groove whereupon a purely rotativc movement of the plug member will eause'the posts tofind the. post holes 7:. The walls 11 and 12 therefore definitely delineate a.pathot'movement for the posts 3.

In: some types of; outletboxes or wall receptacles the same are set inwardly from the wall surface providing recesses 13 such as is=indicated in Fig; 2. In the form-shown in Fig; 11, it will be noted that the'plht e-portion-s around the holes 7 rest in contact with the flush: outer face of the receptacles 1:. It is preterabl'e to have this close fittingrel'ation between. the plateand the receptacle and therefore if it is desired for-receptacles that are inwardly fromthe wall surface, such as isshownin Fig. 2, the plate portions about the holes 7." may be extended downward-lyso. as to be in. a planebelow the marginal portions ot the plate 65.. The deptlr of the groom 9 will be substantially the same as the groove. 9; in Fig.1 1 and the centering knob 10" will besubstantially equal: inheight to. llllbl); 10 whereby the ordinary length of postseli will effect thedesired electrical connection. in. the same manner as set forth in connection.with:theshowing in Fig. 1 Obvious .tiie plate 6i will; bemade shallower or have narrower marginal fiangesbelow the plane Oill which the depressed plate portions about the holes 73 will extend... This will bring the post holes. 7" in proximityto. the post sockets 2! ct thereceptacles 1;.

While theknob 10 may extend slightly abereor below'theplane of theouter surface of theface plates it is preferred tohave them substantially flush. therewith so as not to present any projecting ortions beyond the bodiy. lines oftheplatei. he faceplates may be provided; with any' number of guiding grooves or depressions therein to accommo date alike numberof receptacles. In Figs. 1;. 2 and: 3, the plate is shown especially adapted and designed for association with two. rece1: tacles, while" in Fig. 4 av body plate 1.4 isshown having a; posteguiding formation for a: single receptacle.

T o. :Eacilitat'e the finding of the face plate or the-centering knohzin the dark, said centering knob: may: beprovided; withv a lightemitting surface, suclr as is indicated; at 116.

This may be easily effected by coating the knob with phosphorous paint or the like, or the outer portion of the knob may form the glass dome of a miniature electric bulb, not shown.

From the foregoing it willhe observed that the outer flaring wall 12 (12"), by reason of its flare. at the base of the groove, provides ample space about the centering knob 10 (10'') to avoid the cap posts 3 from binding on or against said outer wall. These posts are usually fiat strip-like blades of rectangular cross section and when they are in a knobstraddling position with their free ends arranged at the base of the knob, the longitudinal edges of theposts extend? tangentially away fromthe-knob; The outwardly'flaring wall therefore does not present any. surface parallel totheaxis of theknohiagainshwhich the longitudinal corners or edges of the posts might bind. @11 the other hand',.the.fimring5 outer wall is annular and: extendsontwaidiy beyond the post. holnsso asto present aiguidr ing surfacewhich will: deflect. or guirlethe posts, wheir engagedl therewith, laterally or radially inwardly against the centering knob which latterinsures the posts finding the post holes upon a purely; rotwtiveimotiom What is claimed? is A detachable face plate for-a: separable electrical wall or floor receptacle havingipost sockets, comprising ai body of insulating nurteriai having spaced post. holes therethnough for registry with. the post socketsoff a relhted receptacle, the outer face; of said. body having integral concentric, arcuate guideways formingv ai centrall post-guiding-knob;. each of the post holes being disposed in the; bottom arespective guideway' at the base 026 the guiding knob.

2. A detachable face plate for w separable electrical receptacle having spaced post sockets, comprising a: body of insulating nun terial for being secured over thereceptacle and having in its outer face an. integral: am nular groove with: its inner. and outer con1- centric walls forming a definite: post: path in the bottom of. the groove oil a diameter equal substantially: to the distance between the post sockets 01 the associated receptoclh, said body provided with. diametrically op. posite post holes opening through the bot.- tom of the groove and adapted for. registry with the post sockets of the associated' receptacle.

3. A1 detachable formed: face plate for a separable electrical ieceptaclehaving substantially uniform thieknessthrougllouh and comprising a molded body of insulating ma;- terial having an integral annular groove in its outer face and post holesaopening-through the bottom of the groove for registry with the post socket-s of an associated receptacle, said annular groove defining a eentrab knob having a base diameter substantially equal to the distance between the post holes, the

wall of said knob defining an abruptly rising annular guide shoulder leading substantially to the inner edges of the post holes.

4. A detachable molded face plate for a separable electrical receptacle having spaced post sockets, comprising a body of insulating material having an integral annular groove in its outer face and post holes opening through the bottom of the groove for registry with the post sockets of the associated receptacle, said annular groove defining a central knob having a maximum diameter substantially equal to the distance between the post holes, the Wall of said knob defining an abrupt guide shoulder leading substantially to the inner edges of the post holes, the outer wall of the groove flaring outwardly from the post holes and upwardly to the plane of the plate body.

5. In combination with a wall receptacle having spaced post sockets therein, of a detachable face plate of insulating material having post holes therein for registry with the sockets of the receptacle, the outer face of said face plate being provided with an integral annular depression sharply defining an annular post path at its bottom to receive and retain the spaced posts of a separable plug member in a defined circular path of movement, the post holes of said face plate opening into said defined path.

6. In combination with a wall receptacle having spaced post sockets therein, of a detachable face plate of insulating material having post holes therein for registry with the sockets of the receptacle, said face plate being provided with an integral annular depression seating on the outer face of said receptacle about its sockets with the post holes in registry with the post sockets.

7. A detachable face plate for a separable electrical receptacle having spaced sockets adapted to receive spaced posts of a terminal member, comprising a body having a face annularly grooved, and spaced openings therethrough for registry with the post sockets of the receptacle, these openings extending into the bottom of the groove so that the walls of the groove present sloping coaxial guiding faces to the posts.

EMMETT J. SCHUTT. 

